Detente with Cuba diffuses harsh critics of US policy

As usual when Latin America leftist leaders get together with US officials, there were plenty of swipes at the United States during the seventh Summit of the Americas.

From 19th century territorial raids on Mexico to US support for the overthrow of Chile's socialist government in 1973 and the 1989 invasion of Panama that removed Genenral Manuel Noriega, Washington's interventions in Latin America were all targets of rebuke during long speeches by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his allies. That prompted President Barack Obama to retort, "I always enjoy the history lessons that I receive when I'm here."

But the historic meeting between Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro on Saturday before the summit closed provides the US and Latin America with an opportunity to move beyond a history of grievances and mistrust.